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March 18, 1996
SCOTT WILLIAMS OF "F.A.R.M." ON CHANGING AMERICA'S EATING HABITS
The Federal government's 1995 "Dietary Guidelines for Americans" recommends a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and encourages a high fiber diet that includes grains, vegetables, and fruits. The advisory says a well moderated diet can help prevent heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other chronic diseases that, according to the U.S. Public Health Service, cripple and kill 1.6 million Americans each year.
On March 20, 1996, the Farm Animal Reform Movement (FARM) will sponsor a national nutrition awareness day called "The Great American Meatout." The annual event is billed as the world's largest grass-roots dietary education campaign, and thousands of activists across the U.S. and Canada are expected to mark the first day of spring by "celebrating the life-enhancing effects of meatless eating. Individuals are asked to 'kick the meat habit' by attending events throughout North America that will have information tables ('steakouts'), public picnics, and food tastings.
Scott Williams, the National Director of FARM, based in Washington, D.C., answers your questions about the benefits of a vegetarian diet.A question from Jennifer Klein of Minneapolis, MN:
I think there is certainly evidence to cause us to think more carefully about our diets, but I think the negative press about meat is too extreme. Can you recommend any programs, or have specific suggestions, on how to eat meat products in proper moderation?
Scott Williams, FARM, responds:
'Proper moderation' is the meat industry's fallback position when it is unable to refute scientific evidence showing the health problems caused by consumption of meat and other animal fats.
There is no nutritional requirement for animal products in the human diet. Even the U.S. Department of Agriculture admits this, which is a gigantic step for an agency whose main purpose is to promote the consumption of meat and other animal products. Knowing this, it is up to you to weigh your desire for the taste of meat against the inherent health risks, environmental damage, and confinement and slaughter of animals. Lessening your consumption of meat will certainly have a positive impact in all these areas, but why only go half way?
Regarding your feelings about the negative press that meat receives, I propose an experiment: Keep a pad handy while you watch TV, listen to the radio, or read magazines and newspapers. Make two columns on your pad, one marked 'pro-meat' and one marked 'anti-meat.' Every time you see or hear a message promoting meat, make a single mark in the 'pro-meat' column. For every negative mention of meat, make ten, fifteen, maybe even twenty marks in the 'anti-meat' column (since it's so extreme.) Let me know the final score.
A question from Lenore Farber, Los Angeles, CA:
I am a senior citizen and have thought about re-evaluating my eating habits for a long time now. If I do decide to switch to a more "vegetarian" style diet, do I need a doctor's approval, or at least plan more frequent check ups, once I begin?
Scott Williams, FARM, responds:
Vegetarian diets are uncharted waters for most people, so its natural be cautious. Learning more about the nutritional content of foods is a great way to feel more assured about making the switch. There are lots of sources of information, including books and videotapes. You can also consult a doctor or nutritionist-- your local vegetarian society can probably recommend someone who is well versed in vegetarian nutrition. (I can provide contact information for local vegetarian societies. E-mail me at farm@gnn.com)
On the other hand, there is no trick to meatless eating-- no secret foods or arcane formulas to follow. Just eat a variety of whole grains products, green and yellow vegetables, and fresh fruits, and avoid junk. Generally, if you're getting enough calories, you're getting plenty of nutrients. The Dietary Guidelines suggest that vegetarians pay special attention to their intake of iron, zinc, and B vitamins, all of which have readily available plant sources. If you have specific concerns about these or any other nutrients, you can take supplements or eat fortified foods (breakfast cereals, in particular, are often fortified with iron, zinc, and B vitamins.)
A question from Darrel Brown, Atlanta, GA:
My wife and I have decided its time to eat more fruits, vegetables and grains, but we wondered if a vegetarian diet is the right choice for our new born child?
Scott Williams, FARM, responds:
I know several vegetarian children, some of whom are vegan, which means that they consume no animal products of any kind (eggs and milk, for example.) They are all quite healthy and active. There is at least one book dealing exclusively with this subject: Dr. Michael Klaper's "Pregnancy, Children, and the Vegan Diet."
In addition, most books on vegetarianism devote at least one chapter to children. Teaching proper eating habits at an early age is very important, as these habits are hard to change later in life. In addition, the effects of poor dietary habits are not just for adults -- coronary blockage can begin very early in life. If you're having trouble finding enough information to feel comfortable about raising veggie kids, e-mail me at farm@gnn.com, and I'll connect you with some vegetarian parents.
A question from Neil November, Richmond, VA:
What is the source of your funding? Is it possible that you are being "used" by organizations whose members sell grains, fruits and/or vegetables to drive up their profits? Don't you think what's driving them (profit) may be stronger than an altruistic motive for Americans to eat "healthier"?
Scott Williams, FARM, responds:
We are a member-supported nonprofit organization. Since the beginning of last year (1995), over two thousand five hundred individual members have made contributions, ranging from one dollar to two thousand dollars. Most of our members support us because they believe that consumers deserve to know the true health, environmental, and animal welfare costs of raising animals for slaughter. It's about a lot more than just your arteries -- it's also about national health care costs, the feeding of grains to farmed animals instead of to hungry humans, the availability of food resources for future generations, and the nearly 9 billion animals who will be slaughtered in the U.S. this year.
If you're worried about who is spending money to influence American dietary habits, it is animal agriculture that you need to keep an eye on. Beyond the obvious multi-million dollar television ad campaigns, are more insidious programs, such as providing free glossy 'nutrition education' materials to schools.
A question from Abigail Levine, Washington, DC:
At my school, I know alot of girls who follow "strict vegetarian diets," but when you see what they eat, its pretty easy to see they're just using the "diet" as an excuse for starving themselves. How does your organization council people - especially young woman - about eating disorders?
Scott Williams, FARM, responds:
Sometimes when people contact us, they tell us why they are concerned about meat consumption and production. Most often, though, requests for information contain little more than a name and an address. If they are masking an eating disorder with a proclaimed interest in vegetarianism, we have no way of knowing, so I have never had to deal with this problem. As a result, I don't have any information handy on organizations that help young women and others deal with such disorders, but I'm sure that your guidance counselor or other school officials can provide it. If not, write me and I'll dig up some contacts.
The first, best way for a true vegetarian to show the benefits of 'kicking the meat habit' is through good health and good eating. There are many healthy, wonderful meatless foods, so there is never any reason to go hungry out of concern for your health, animals, or the environment. E-mail me at farm@gnn.com, or call 1-800-MEATOUT, and I'll send you recipes, menu suggestions, and other information to help you 'kick the meat habit.' By the way, Abigail, if you have any suggestions on how FARM can help young women with eating disorders, please let us know.
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